School officials look at beefing up security after vandalism, animal abuse

Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 3:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 3:13 p.m.

Vandals and thieves beware — school officials are hoping to beef up security at area schools in the wake of the arrests of two teenagers accused of vandalizing Lake Weir Middle School and injuring a 4-H animal.

Brian Marcum, Safe Schools coordinator with Marion County Public Schools, said he cannot give specific details about what security measures the district will do, or have done, to better secure schools. He did say, however, that the school district is in the process of finding funds, including applying for grants, to add additional surveillance cameras at many schools, especially those with 4-H programs that care for animals on campus.

The news comes two weeks after boys ages 16 and 17 broke into the Sunset Harbor Road school, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports. The boys confessed to emptying six fire extinguishers in various buildings, causing $450 in damage. The reports state that the boys also swiped 10 compound bows with arrows, valued at $1,650, from the school.

The reports also state that one boy severely injured a sheep by shooting it in the head with an arrow, stabbing it with a pitch fork and hitting it with a cement block.

The Sheriff’s Office arrested the teens and charged them on one count each of grand theft, burglary, possession of a weapon on school grounds and criminal mischief. One or both of the youths also face animal cruelty charges. The Star-Banner is not naming the suspects because of their ages.

The case is being handled by Assistant State Attorney Dandreinne Brown, who works in the juvenile division. Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway said Brown, who is awaiting evidence from the Sheriff’s Office, will review that evidence to determine if the charges would be upheld and whether the teenagers should be tried as adults.

Both boys once attended Lake Weir Middle and were attending alternative schools at the time of the alleged incident.

Kevin Christian, school district spokesman, said by state law he cannot disclose discipline issues or punishment of individual students. He could speak generally on the topic.

“Students who are already in alternative schools can be expelled from the school district without services,” Christian noted.

Without services means the student could no longer attend the alternative schools and his or her parents would have to find a private school or other way to educate the child. Ultimately, the School Board will make the final decision on the district’s recommendation.

Marcum said that since the Lake Weir Middle School incident, someone was able to get inside Forest High School’s fenced-in grounds and swipe a number of 4-H rabbits. He said the animals were returned unharmed.

Marcum said money is tighter today than it was a decade ago, when the federal government gave out millions of dollars to help secure facilities after 9/11. He said as new schools and wing additions were built immediately after 9/11, much needed security features — such as surveillance cameras — were added. The school district has also been fencing schools for the last decade to combat vandalism, theft and unwanted visitors.

“This is a tough topic,” Marcum said, adding that he would not share what security features each school has, or does not have.

Joe Callahan can be reached at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.

<p>Vandals and thieves beware — school officials are hoping to beef up security at area schools in the wake of the arrests of two teenagers accused of vandalizing Lake Weir Middle School and injuring a 4-H animal.</p><p>Brian Marcum, Safe Schools coordinator with Marion County Public Schools, said he cannot give specific details about what security measures the district will do, or have done, to better secure schools. He did say, however, that the school district is in the process of finding funds, including applying for grants, to add additional surveillance cameras at many schools, especially those with 4-H programs that care for animals on campus.</p><p>The news comes two weeks after boys ages 16 and 17 broke into the Sunset Harbor Road school, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports. The boys confessed to emptying six fire extinguishers in various buildings, causing $450 in damage. The reports state that the boys also swiped 10 compound bows with arrows, valued at $1,650, from the school.</p><p>The reports also state that one boy severely injured a sheep by shooting it in the head with an arrow, stabbing it with a pitch fork and hitting it with a cement block.</p><p>The Sheriff's Office arrested the teens and charged them on one count each of grand theft, burglary, possession of a weapon on school grounds and criminal mischief. One or both of the youths also face animal cruelty charges. The Star-Banner is not naming the suspects because of their ages.</p><p>The case is being handled by Assistant State Attorney Dandreinne Brown, who works in the juvenile division. Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway said Brown, who is awaiting evidence from the Sheriff's Office, will review that evidence to determine if the charges would be upheld and whether the teenagers should be tried as adults.</p><p>Both boys once attended Lake Weir Middle and were attending alternative schools at the time of the alleged incident.</p><p>Kevin Christian, school district spokesman, said by state law he cannot disclose discipline issues or punishment of individual students. He could speak generally on the topic.</p><p>“Students who are already in alternative schools can be expelled from the school district without services,” Christian noted.</p><p>Without services means the student could no longer attend the alternative schools and his or her parents would have to find a private school or other way to educate the child. Ultimately, the School Board will make the final decision on the district's recommendation.</p><p>Marcum said that since the Lake Weir Middle School incident, someone was able to get inside Forest High School's fenced-in grounds and swipe a number of 4-H rabbits. He said the animals were returned unharmed.</p><p>Marcum said money is tighter today than it was a decade ago, when the federal government gave out millions of dollars to help secure facilities after 9/11. He said as new schools and wing additions were built immediately after 9/11, much needed security features — such as surveillance cameras — were added. The school district has also been fencing schools for the last decade to combat vandalism, theft and unwanted visitors.</p><p>“This is a tough topic,” Marcum said, adding that he would not share what security features each school has, or does not have.</p><p><i>Joe Callahan can be reached at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.</i></p>